Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1366: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the policy to deal with bullying in her Department; if same has been circulated to all employees; if there are outstanding law cases regarding the issue by employees; if cases were dealt with or settled since 1 January 2000, and if so, the number of same; if her Department has legislation dealing with the issue of bullying or plans to introduce such legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1913/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed under its human resources strategy to ensuring a positive working environment for all staff and to enable each person to work with dignity and respect, free from bullying, harassment or sexual harassment. Such complaints are dealt with in accordance with the procedures agreed with staff representative bodies, outlined in a Positive Working Environment — an Anti-Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying Policy for the Civil Service. Since 2000, the above procedures have been invoked in respect of some five complaints from staff in my Department.

This aforementioned document was recently revised to take account of legislative developments and experience gained in the operation of the policy since its original introduction in 2000. Staff in my Department were notified of the introduction of a revised policy with effect from 1 September 2005 and provided with an electronic copy. Staff upon appointment to my Department are also provided with a copy. The document may also be accessed on my Department's intranet. The introduction of legislation to deal with bullying is not a matter for my Department.